ad orientem
English
Etymology
Unadapted borrowing from Latin ad orientem (literally “to the east”).
Adverb
ad orientem (not comparable)
- (Christianity) Facing liturgical east, that is, in the same direction as (and thus, away from) the congregation.
Adjective
ad orientem (not comparable)
- (Christianity) Describing worship facing liturgical east.
- 2009 September, Edward J. Slattery, “From the bishop: Ad orientem”, in Eastern Oklahoma Catholic[1], archived from the original on 10 February 2012, page 3:
- For that reason, I have restored the venerable ad orientem position when I celebrate Mass at the Cathedral.
- 2019 August 15, Michael Rennier, “Liturgy wars? Younger Catholics just want reverence”, in Catholic Herald:
- It was catechism by incense, rood screens, gorgeous vestments and ad orientem Masses chanted from high altars that scrape the heavens.
Noun
ad orientem (uncountable)
- (Christianity) Ellipsis of ad orientem worship or ad orientem posture.
- 2021 August 5, Matt Kappadakunnel, “A call to communion: Pope Francis' letter to the Syro-Malabar Church”, in National Catholic Reporter:
- One faction within the Syro-Malabar Church favored the use of ad orientem in the liturgy — "to the east," with the presider's back to the congregation.
- 2022 August 27, Disney Tom, “Altar ego”, in The Times of India:
- Fr Kalathil says that just like there is a demand for Versus Populum in Ernakulam-Angamaly there are strong proponents of Ad Orientem in other dioceses.
Norwegian Nynorsk
Etymology
Unadapted borrowing from Latin prepositional phrase ad orientem (“to the east”).
Adverb
ad orientem
- (ecclesiastical) oriented in the same direction as fellow communicants during mass (incidentally away from the people)
- Antonym: versus populum
Polish
Etymology
Unadapted borrowing from Latin ad orientem.
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /ˈat ɔˈrjɛn.tɛm/
- Syllabification: ad o‧rien‧tem
Adverb
ad orientem (not comparable)
- (Christianity) ad orientem (facing liturgical east, that is, in the same direction as and away from the congregation)
Further reading
- ad orientem in Wielki słownik języka polskiego, Instytut Języka Polskiego PAN
- ad orientem in Polish dictionaries at PWN